The Upfront Team

What drives people to commit acts of gender-based violence?

Urgent Improvement is needed in how Ireland tackles gender-based violence according to the Council of Europe. But what drives this type of violence and is the problem getting worse?

Upfront • 17 Nov 23

Is banning smartphones in school the right move?

New guidance urging parents not to buy smartphones for their primary school age children has been introduced by Minister for Education Norma Foley. While some people believe the guidelines don't go far enough, others believe they're lazy and shortsighted.

Upfront • 11 Nov 23

The global network of subsea cables. Source: TeleGeography

Why are subsea cables off Ireland causing continental concerns?

Three-quarters of all subsea cables in the northern hemisphere pass through or near Irish waters, but who is responsible for protecting this crucial continental infrastructure and how vital is for Ireland?

Upfront • 10 Nov 23

It's almost a month since the 7 October attacks by Hamas

The Israeli man who talks to Hamas on Gaza and a road to peace

What was the motivation for the Hamas attacks and what is the endgame for Israel? Katie Hannon speaks to long time peace campaigner Gershon Baskin, one of very few people to have had close contact with both the Israeli authorities and Hamas.

Upfront • 03 Nov 23

Did the Citizens' Assembly on drug use go far enough?

The Citizens' Assembly on Drug Use has recommended that people found in possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use would be diverted to a health-led system, rather than the criminal justice system. But some believe they could have gone further.

Upfront • 27 Oct 23

A lack of access to basic medical services and pre and antenatal care is of particular concern for pregnant women and new mothers in Gaza

Humanitarian 'catastrophe' facing Gaza's 50,000 pregnant women

More than 50,000 women are pregnant in Gaza with an estimated 160 women giving birth every day. Katie Hannon spoke to Soraida Hussein-Sabbah in the West Bank about the crisis.

Upfront • 20 Oct 23

More than one quarter of home care wait list is in Cork and Kerry

People waiting for home care services in Cork and Kerry make up more than one quarter of the national waiting list, according to an analysis of Health Service Executive figures by RTE's Upfront with Katie Hannon.

Upfront • 17 Oct 23

Should Ireland legislate for assisted dying?

As part of The Conversation from RTÉ's Upfront with Katie Hannon, we asked two people to join our WhatsApp group to discuss whether Ireland introduce legislation for assisted dying.

Upfront • 14 Oct 23

Colum McCann (centre) with Rami Elhanan, an Israeli and Palestinian Bassam Aramin who were subjects in his 2020 book Apeirogon.

Colum McCann: Book subjects 'heartbroken' by return of conflict

With the Israel-Hamas conflict now entering its sixth day Katie Hannon spoke to writer Colum McCann, who made many trips to the region during research for his Booker Prize longlisted novel Apeirogon.

Upfront • 13 Oct 23

Could restricting Airbnb help solve the housing crisis?

As part of The Conversation from RTÉ's Upfront with Katie Hannon, we asked two people to join our WhatsApp group to discuss Ireland's short-term letting market and it's role in the housing crisis

Upfront • 09 Oct 23